Fishing Shuswap, BC in the Spring
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| March | 45° / 28° |
| April | 58° / 36° |
| May | 67° / 43° |
Spring brings warming shallows and baitfish activity to Shuswap’s bays and river mouths. Snowmelt can cause variable water clarity.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Lakes: Rainbow trout cruising shorelines on spoons and stickbaits; lake trout shallow on points early/late; burbot finishing up their spawn in shallows.
Rivers/Creeks: Trout and char on nymphs and streamers in softer seams during clearer flows.
Not Hot: Midday in high, turbid water—wait for clearing after peak runoff.
Fishing Shuswap, BC in the Summer
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| June | 74° / 50° |
| July | 80° / 53° |
| August | 78° / 52° |
Warm, clear water means most species slide deeper by day, with active surface feeding at dawn and dusk.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Lakes: Kokanee 30–70 ft on downriggers; rainbow trout on drop-offs early/late; lake trout on deep humps with jigs/trolled spoons; bass in select bays around weeds and docks.
Rivers/Creeks: Evening dry fly hatches (caddis, mayflies) on stable flows.
Not Hot: High-noon trolling near the surface—switch to deeper lines.
Fishing Shuswap, BC in the Fall
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| September | 67° / 45° |
| October | 52° / 38° |
| November | 38° / 30° |
Cooling water pushes baitfish shallow and triggers heavy feeding from trout and char. Kokanee spawning runs peak in tributaries.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Lakes: Rainbow trout on windblown points; lake trout near shallower structure; aggressive bites on spoons and crankbaits.
Rivers/Creeks: Excellent streamer fishing for trout; egg patterns behind spawning kokanee.
Not Hot: Strong cold fronts immediately after turnover—wait for stability.
Fishing Shuswap, BC in the Winter (Ice Fishing)
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| December | 30° / 23° |
| January | 30° / 23° |
| February | 34° / 23° |
Ice forms on many sheltered bays and smaller lakes in the Shuswap region—always confirm thickness and conditions.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Ice Fishing: Rainbow trout and kokanee over weedbeds and drop-offs; burbot after dark on sandy/gravel points; lake trout in deeper basins on jigging spoons/tubes.
Open Water: Rare, but possible on tailraces or springs during mild spells.
Not Hot: Marginal ice on main lake—focus on smaller, protected arms.
